Austin Community Gathers to Celebrate Children’s Mental Health Acceptance at Thrive Fest 2025

Our friends at Texas System of Care (TxSOC) partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) for a second year to support children’s mental health and well-being. Youth and families attended Thrive Fest to enjoy interactive activities, youth performances, inspiring community speakers, and local health resources.

Thrive Fest serves as a kick-off to Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Day, which aims to challenge harmful attitudes that prevent people from seeking care and encourage everyone to speak openly about mental health.

Here’s a quick overview of Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Day and a few special moments from this year’s Thrive Fest.

What is Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Day?

Youth in this country are experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis— with a rise in children diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Although an estimated one in five children has a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral condition, many don’t get the help they need. These challenges can make it significantly harder for them to learn and develop.

TxSOC has highlighted the importance of children’s mental health for many years. Since 2013, they’ve organized awareness campaigns and events alongside their community, state agencies, and mental health organizations who want to help youth and families thrive.

Their events take place around Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week, originally launched by the National Federation of Families in 1992 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. In 2022, the federation shifted to Acceptance to better align with its goal of eliminating discrimination toward anyone facing mental health challenges.

The TxSOC team is passionate about continuing to recognize Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Day through events like Thrive Fest. The earlier we reach youth and connect them to the physical and mental health resources they need, the better.

Thrive Fest 2025 Highlights

Thrive Fest is a collaboration between BGCAA, TxSOC, Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health (TIEMH) at the University of Texas at Austin, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

Youth and Community Speakers Offer Hope

Sabrina Bass is a family partner who talked to attendees about Integral Care’s Children’s Crisis Respite. The program provides a safe and supportive environment for youth ages 13-17 in Travis County who are experiencing a crisis or need a break from life’s stressors.

Youth speaker Andres Valle, a mental health advocate and high school senior, spoke about his organization called Teens Supporting Teens. Growing up, he noticed that student wellness was often overlooked, so he started this organization to create a space where students could find hope and remind each other that their mental health can improve.

Zane Shieh was another youth speaker— a junior in high school who’s a mental health advocate as well as an actor and singer/songwriter. Zane talked about his mental health challenges and how he felt supported by his friends during his lowest points. He uses music as an outlet to express some of those feelings and experiences.

Guest speaker Sheriff Sally Hernandez from Travis County Sheriff’s Office opened up about her experience being a caregiver for her son Cody, who was born with a serious brain injury. The hardship and trauma that come with being a mother and caregiver can feel extremely overwhelming. But she reminded everyone who has experienced trauma that they’re not alone. There are resources in our community that can make a difference.

Youth Performances Fill the Room with Powerful Energy

Zane Shieh took the stage with his band Project Full Measure to play original songs, while the School of Rock students showcased a set of captivating classics like Tutti Frutti by Little Richard. It was inspiring to see these young people confidently share their musical and vocal talents with the crowd.

Project Full Measure’s songs touched on personal stories related to their mental health and drew listeners in with their emotional melodies.

Organizations Connect with Youth and Families

Local organizations prepared a wide range of interactive activities for guests, including slime stress ball workshops, yoga sessions, puzzles, and soccer breaks. A few of the exhibitors were 4ATX Foundation, Austin Child Guidance Center, Austin PBS, Heart N Hands, Phoenix House Texas, and Real Queens Fix Each Other’s Crowns. For a full list, visit the 2025 exhibitor page.

Each of these groups offered resources to help youth and their families. That includes mental and physical health as well as educational opportunities, ways for children to build confidence and community, transportation services, and more.

Interested in Going to Thrive Fest Next Year?

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